?Folks,
Got a '73 Alfa Spider, US spec. Have owned the beast since I drove it
brand
new off the dealer's lot on 30 Jan 1974 (all comments about the stupid
things
the previous owner did have to directed to the mirror!). Recently, when I
move the headlight switch lever down for high beams ALL lights go off,
including the instrument panel. On the regular (up position - dipped)
position the lights are fine. Headlights are Carello H4s (probably been
there
since the early 80s). Have shot contact cleaner into the switch to try to
get
things going to no avail. Switch was replaced with one off a junked Berlina
also in the early 80s. Think I tossed the original switch then too so I
don't
have a carcass to experiment on. Have looked at the switch with the thought
of disassembling it but it looks daunting. Any ideas on how to proceed or
test points that I can explore with a multimeter to troubleshoot?
Bob Johnston
Brighton, MI
'73 Alfa Spider
Bob,
Don't worry about a multimeter, the switch is broken.
1) Install a relay for your headlights; it is well documented in these
archives and those of Alfa BB. Even with a healthy headlight switch, it
makes all the difference in the world, and it will stop problems with a good
headlight switch.
2) Either find another headlight switch and rebuild it, or pull yours, drill
out the rivets, fix it (they are stone-simple) and reinstall. I don't even
re-rivet them, the one in my Spider now is held together by zip ties through
the rivet holes. Zip-ties don't stretch, and these've lasted for 10 years.
The relay alone will make a huge difference; if y'all out there haven't
installed one yet, will you do it before your headlight switch burns itself
out from full current through insufficient switches, or after?
Sono lento, ma sono brutto.
Joe
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